Page 9 of Dancing With Desire

“Why does that bother me so much?”

She gives a sympathetic smile. “Because you love him, Tori. You can’t just switch it off.”

I bury my face in my hands. “I spent so long thinking about everything while I lay there waiting for him to find me, and I swore to myself that I’d never go back. We’re from completely different worlds.”

“Are you sure they’re your words and not Vivian’s?”

I chew on my lower lip. “Maybe.”

“I know I was against all this,” she tells me. “And, initially, I thought the same because Dmitry is so powerful and you’re so,” she grins, “mental, but you work. And when I saw him last, he looked utterly broken. I didn’t see that power or confidence. Maybe he needs you by his side to feel that.”

I shake my head, knotting my fingers together as I build up the courage to say the words out loud. “We’re not meant to be. Whatever I had with Dmitry is over.”

“And what about the baby?” she asks.

“I can’t think that far ahead,” I mutter.

DMITRY

My father looks different,and as I regard him, he shifts from one foot to the other in a nervous manner. “What’s going on, Dmitry?” he asks, squaring his shoulders. “You pull me from an important meeting, and I have no idea why.”

I turn my chair slowly until I’m staring out my office window at the six men he brought with him and I smirk. “You’re heavy on security today. Anything I should know about?”

“Why am I here?” he snaps, ignoring my question.

I turn back to him and push to stand. He takes a step back, and I revel in the fact he’s jumpy. I’ve never seen this side of him before. If only it was so easy to end him, I’d do it in a flash.

“Don’t look so concerned, Father, it’s just business,” I say with a smile.

I fasten my jacket and head out the office with him behind me. My men are lined up in the living room. When I enter, they stand straighter, and it pleases me that they look nervous too.

I stand before them with my father at one side and Leo at the other. Marshall is at the end of the first row. He’s so used to being outside my circle, he dares not presume he should be by my side. “First of all, I have a new right-hand man. Marshall, join me,” I say clearly. He almost looks proud as he steps up and stands beside Leo. “You will respect him as you did, Nik. Secondly, some of you will be aware that Nikolai is no longer with us.” There’s a few mutters and unsure glances between them. I scan faces, picking out the ones who don’t look shocked. “He betrayed me.” I sense my father stiffen at my words.

“I’m hoping he was working alone.” Leo picks up a box from the table, and I reach inside, retrieving Nik’s lifeless head. The men fidget uncomfortably. “If I find out anyone else was working with him, I will wipe out their entire bloodline. Anyone who feels they cannot stand beside me should leave now becauseI do not have time for idiots.” Nobody moves as I place the head back in the box. “If anyone has any information, you will be rewarded well.”

I leave the room with my father is hot on my heels. “You think Nik was working alone?” he asks, grabbing the whiskey the second we’re in the office.

“I have no reason to think anyone else is involved.”

“And what about the girl?”

I shake my head when he offers me a drink. “She isn’t talking.”

“What does that mean?” he asks, spinning to look at me.

“It means she is refusing to see me.”

He takes a second to think over my words. “So, she’s awake after her ordeal?”

“She doesn’t want anything to do with me and has made it very clear I am no longer a part of her life,” I tell him, not answering his original question.

He almost looks satisfied as he drains his glass. “And you don’t think she will change her mind?”

“No. Besides, I have no idea where she is.”

“So, that’s it?” he asks, almost smiling.

“You could at least try to sound less happy,” I snap. “And before you suggest it, no, I am not going to get back with Vivian. Where is she, by the way? She’s awfully quiet.”

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